Shaun Wright-Phillips has revealed the moment he realised he was about to leave Strictly Come Dancing, after he and professional partner Alexis Warr became the latest couple eliminated from the BBC show.
The footballer, 45, and Warr were voted out following their Jive to the Stevie Wonder hit Faith. It was the second time in the series that the couple had found themselves in the dance-off.
Wright-Phillips admits he expected the result
In his first interview since exiting the programme, Wright-Phillips told Ellie Taylor on Monday's edition of It Takes Two that he sensed the outcome was coming. Asked how it felt to be told he was in the bottom two again, he said: "I kind of knew. In my head I kind of knew so mentally I was already preparing myself from that moment."
He added: "As soon as we got into that room in the back, I was visualising straight away. We were running the steps where I made the mistakes and once again I was doing them fine so that confused me to the point where I knew them but I still made the mistake."
Warr praises her former partner
Warr then spoke in support of her former dance partner, saying: "That happens. I think... I want him to give himself grace for that because that's sometimes just what happens on the floor and with everything."
She continued: "Sometimes things don't always make sense but even when he did mess up, he kept pushing and he ended strong. He always kept pushing. He's a fighter, from day one until now. He just has that fight in him, that spirit."
On Sunday evening, viewers watched as Wright-Phillips and Warr failed to turn things around in the dance-off against Jaime Winstone and her partner Carlos Gu, who finished in the bottom two after the public vote despite scoring 25 for their dance on Saturday's episode.
Wright-Phillips reflects on his time on the show
Wright-Phillips said: "I don't think I can put into words how my time has been, from the pros, judges, staff behind the cameras, everyone who's helped me along the way, it's been the most amazing journey I've had. And thank you for giving me the chance to be on the Strictly Ballroom floor and actually learn how to dance."
Warr added: "The resilience that this man has is so admirable, and I just want to say thank you so much. You have made this season such a joy for me, and it's been so lovely to just get to know you and get to see you completely handle something different."
She went on: "And I'm so proud of how you just danced that dance-off. And that, that's what we talk about, that's the grit that you did. And I am so proud of you, and you should be so beyond happy with yourself. And also, the gentleman that this man is, I feel so honoured to have had him as my partner, so a friend for life!"
Addressing Warr, Wright-Phillips said: "Thank you, I couldn't ask for a better partner, a better human being, you knew how to deal with my mood swings, you put me in my box, you got me back on the dancefloor, you knew how to work with me, I wish I could've taken you further."
Asked if he will continue dancing, he responded: "Oh hell yeah," before saying he would return each week to support his co-stars.
